Recent changes in the online procedure for applying for the EU Blue Card work authorization: what are the practical impacts?

In recent weeks, the online procedure for applying for the work authorization (nulla osta) for the purposes of the EU Blue Card has undergone a number of significant changes through the Italian Ministry of the Interior’s portal. These updates, which came into force at the end of 2025, aim to strengthen preliminary checks and the automatic integration of data. However, they are also producing tangible effects in terms of longer processing times and increased operational complexity for both companies and highly qualified foreign workers.

New role of the legal representative at the initial stage

One of the main changes concerns the access phase of the procedure. The system now requires the process to be initiated by entering the credentials of the company’s legal representative. Only after this preliminary authentication does the portal automatically retrieve the company’s official data from public registers and send a verification code to the legal representative via certified email (PEC).

Previously, information relating to the legal representative was entered directly within the EU Blue Card application, without any prior validation stage. While the new mechanism is intended to enhance data security and reliability, it introduces an additional step that may delay the initiation of the application, particularly in the presence of internal delegations or complex corporate structures.

Automatic retrieval of the company’s financial data

Another relevant change concerns the automatic integration of the company’s financial and economic data. The Ministry’s portal now independently retrieves this information, a process that may take several days— theoretically up to one week—before allowing the application to proceed.

This aspect has a direct impact on the planning of international hires, as it removes the possibility of immediately submitting the application and introduces a waiting period that is not always predictable.

New requirements regarding employee accommodation

Also particularly significant is the change relating to the indication of the future employee’s accommodation. The system currently requires the full cadastral details of the property in which the worker will initially reside in Italy to be entered. It is no longer sufficient to indicate a generic company address or a temporary arrangement such as a hotel.

This requirement means that, already at the stage of applying for the work authorization, accommodation must be concretely identified and formally registered, creating an additional administrative burden for both the employer and the worker. In some cases, moreover, the portal fails to correctly recognize the property even when the data entered is accurate, especially where cadastral databases have not been updated.

Impact on processing times for the work authorization and the Italian work visa

Taken together, these changes are leading to delays in the processing of applications for the EU Blue Card work authorization—which, under current legislation, should theoretically be issued within a maximum of 30 days from submission. These delays also have a knock-on effect on the subsequent phase, namely the application for the Italian work visa at the competent consular authorities.

It is plausible that, over time, the administration will refine the system’s functioning and introduce adjustments to make the procedure more streamlined. However, at the current stage, companies and professionals must take into account longer timelines and a greater need for advance coordination.

Final considerations

The recent amendments to the online EU Blue Card procedure represent a structural change in the approach to managing applications for highly qualified employment. While the objective is to ensure greater control and transparency, there is also a clear need for early planning and specialized support in order to avoid delays that could negatively affect international mobility projects involving Italy.

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The content of this article is intended to provide general information on the topic. For doubts or specific cases, it is advisable to seek specialized legal advice tailored to your particular situation.

Article written by Alessia Ajelli, Managing Associate of LCA Studio Legale, Italian lawyer specialized on Italian immigration and citizenship law, and Paolo Grassi, Trainee of LCA Studio Legale.